John the apostle shared after Jesus died on the cross, “the Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they broke not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knows that he said is true, that you might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture says, They shall look on him whom they pierced”, and in chapter nineteen and verse thirty-eight of his book John shared about, “Joseph of Arimathaea” where we read:
And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
The verse reads, “And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: ...” John began with the words, “and after this” which means “and beyond Jesus dying, not having His bones broken and having His side pierced to fulfill scripture” “Joseph of Arimathaea” or “Joseph whose name means let him add from Arimathaea which means heights and was the name of several cities in Palestine. The one mentioned in Mat. 27:57, Mk 15:43, Lk. 23:51, Jn 19:38 appears to have been the same as the birthplace of Samuel in Mount Ephraim”, “being a disciple of Jesus” which means “existing as a student, pupil and attendant belonging to the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation”, “but secretly” or “also and moreover hidden, concealed and kept secret” “for fear of the Jews” which means “because, since and on account of dread, terror and reverence belonging to the leaders and people in the Jewish nation”, “besought Pilate” or “intreated, begged and asked Pilate whose name means armed with a spear and was the sixth Roman procurator of Judah and Samaria who ordered Christ to be crucified” “that he might take away” which means “so he, Joseph of Arimathaea could remove and carry of” “the body of Jesus” or “the physical body belonging to the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation”. John shared how “Joseph of Arimathaea” was a “secret disciple” of Jesus who requested Jesus' “body” from “Pilate” after He was dead.
The verse goes on to say, “and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.” John continued with the words, “and Pilate” or “and Pilate whose name means armed with a spear and was the sixth Roman procurator of Judah and Samaria who ordered Christ to be crucified” “gave him leave” which means “permitted, allowed and entrusted Joseph of Arimathaea with Jesus' body”. “He came therefore” or “He, Joseph of Arimathaea arose and appeared then, wherefore and on this account”, “and took the body of Jesus” which means “and elevated and raised up the physical body of the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation”. John shared how “Pilate” allowed “Joseph of Arimathaea” to remove “Jesus' body”, and he took His “body” down from the cross.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how “Joseph of Arimathaea”, who was a secret disciple of Jesus, went to “Pilate” and requested that he give him Jesus' body. The Jewish people wanted the bodies of Jesus and the two thieves crucified with Him to be taken down from their crosses. “Joseph of Arimathaea” must have heard this news and made His appeal to “Pilate” personally. He must have had access to “Pilate” because not everyone was able to make entrance before him, and he used his influence to care for the body of Jesus. This act of kindness has been told ever since the gospels were written, and anyone who loves Jesus in this manner aligns themselves with the love of God that He exhibited through His Son Jesus to the world. Those who carefully examine all these things should yield their lives to Jesus who alone is able to forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life with God.
Next time John shares about, “Nicodemus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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